Girls 7-9
KELLY XU
Age: 9
Residence: Santa Monica, California
Grade: 4th
Home Course: Penmar by the Sea in Venice, California
Etc.: Began playing golf at age 5. … Won her regional by 19 points, and her parents told her that she could have her first pet if she won. … Plans to get a dog and a cat and name them Augusta and Georgia. … Would serve Brunswick stew, cornbread, sweet tea and hot peach cobbler at the Champions Dinner. … If she could play golf with one person, it would be Condoleezza Rice.
News:
Kelly Xu Claims First Drive, Chip and Putt Title
Boys 7-9
TREED HUANG
Age: 9
Residence: Katy, Texas
Grade: 3rd
Home Course: Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club in Katy, Texas
Etc.: Introduced to golf at age 3 by his father and began taking lessons at age 4. … Best 18-hole score is 4-under-par. … If he could play golf with one person, it would be Tiger Woods. … Favorite app is Skylander Battleground. … Says hardest aspect of golf is generating distance on his shots. … Best advice came from Champions Tour player Roger Chapman, who told him to have fun and work hard.
Girls 10-11
LUCY LI
Age: 11
Residence: Redwood Shores, California
Handicap (At End of Last Golf Season): +1.5
Etc.: Began playing golf at the age of 7 when she started hitting balls on the driving range while waiting for her brother and cousin, who were playing in a tournament as part of their golf team. … In 2013, became the youngest match play competitor in U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links history. … Was also the youngest ever qualifier in U.S. Women’s Amateur history last year at the age of 10. … If she could play golf with one person, it would be Jack Nicklaus.
Boys 10-11
LEO CHENG
Age: 11
Residence: Northridge, California
Grade: 5th
Home Course: Porter Valley Country Club in Northridge, California
Etc.: Began playing golf at the age of 4. … Won his regional by 13 points, finishing in the top three in the all three competitions. … If he could play golf with one person, it would be Dustin Johnson. … Favorite club is his 60-degree sand wedge and loves hitting flop shots. … Favorite music group is Imagine Dragons. … Would serve sushi, soda, chips, french fries, ice cream and chicken tenders at the Champions Dinner.
Girls 12-13
NATALIE PIETROMONACO
Age: 13
Residence: Auburn, California
Grade: 8th
Home Course: The Ridge Golf Club in Auburn, California
Etc.: Began playing golf at age 4. … This was her first trip to the Masters and to Augusta National Golf Club … The best advice she has received is to work hard but always keep golf fun. … Her favorite music group is Maroon 5. … She hails from the same county, Placier County, as LPGA player Natalie Gulbis. … She wants to be an attorney, professional golfer or saleswoman when she grows up.
Boys 12-13
BRYSON BIANCO
Age: 13
Residence: Tallahassee, Florida
Grade: 8th
Home Course: Golden Eagle Golf & Country Club in Tallahassee, Florida
Etc.: Began playing golf at age 5. … This was his first trip to the Masters and to Augusta National Golf Club. … Hardest aspect of golf is being able to recover mentally after hitting a bad shot. … Best advice he has received is to laugh off bad shots. … Favorite singer is Luke Bryan. … Attended golf camp at Florida State University even though he is actually a Florida Gators fan. … Would serve grilled salmon and Caesar salad at the Champions Dinner. … Wants to be a professional golfer when he grows up.
Girls 14-15
HUNTER PATE
Age: 14
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada
Grade: 8th
Home Course: Siena Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada
Etc.: Began playing golf at age 8 when her father, a former tennis pro, switched the entire family from tennis players to golfers. … This was her first trip to the Masters and to Augusta National Golf Club. … She has been mentored by PGA Tour winner Parker McLachlin. … Her hardest aspect of golf is the mental toughness required. … Favorite music groups are One Direction and Maroon 5. … Her uncle, David Pate, won the doubles title in the 1991 Australian Open. … Says she would serve barbeque at the Champions Dinner.
Boys 14-15
PATRICK WELCH
Age: 14
Residence: Providence, Rhode Island
Grade: 8th
Home Course: Metacomet Country Club in East Providence, Rhode Island
Etc.: Began playing golf at age 2 when his father would play golf at either Lincoln Park or Harding Park in San Francisco and would take his son with him. … This was his first trip to the Masters and to Augusta National Golf Club. … Says the hardest aspect of golf is slow play. … The best advice he has received is to be yourself and play your game. … Favorite singer is Justin Timberlake. … He has played golf cross-handed ever since he first picked up a club and despite receiving advice to change, does not plan to do so.
